We were given some very wise advice before we left Australia by someone who travels to Thailand regularly. Don’t change your Australian dollars to Baht at the airport or at the hotels in Thailand. You will get a much better conversion rate from one of the many currency conversion stalls on the side of the road in town. Although we changed a bit of money at the airport to make sure we had enough Baht to get a taxi to our hotel plus a little extra, we saved most of our cash to be changed on the street in Phuket. It made a huge difference.

Always haggle when shopping in the markets. It’s expected. One of the local Australians told us that when haggling, start by halving the amount they are asking for and then you can land on a price half way between that and the top price. It’s lots of fun to haggle but prices are so cheap that sometime you realise you are haggling over 50 cents. That’s when you stop. Always keep it in perspective. You can afford 50 cents but to them it can make a lot of difference.

If you are going to a show or special event, make sure you book a Tuk Tuk driver to pick you up afterwards. This is when the local drivers will capitalise on the cost of a ride home. Instead of paying $10 – 15 dollars for a ride home you may be paying $30 – 50. About 15 of us went to FantaSea Cultural Theme Park which is about 20 minutes away from the town and up in the hills. You can’t walk home. We had not booked a return Tuk Tuk. There were plenty of Tuk Tuk’s available but the price was close to 3 times as much as it cost us to get there and in this case there was no bargaining. It’s that or be stranded. They know when you're beat!

Read the sign on the door or window before choosing a massage parlour as some offer more than just massages. Although this may be what some people are looking for, if you don’t want your husband propositioned for extra services then read the door.

When going down Bangla Road in Thailand, hang on to your men. With a group of 20 people, we hit Bangla Road to see the night life. It was wall to wall people with vendors trying to capture your attention every few feet. But it’s the ladyboys and ladies who are the most prolific source of distraction. Their aim is to get the guys, and girls, into the beer bars, Go-Go bars, Ping Pong Shows etc and get the men to buy them Lady Drinks. These drinks are more expensive than the customers’ drinks. The more they are bought the nicer the girls are but watch out for the bill or it can get very high.

If you are staying at a resort and breakfast is included, eat well before you head out for the day. The resort food is normally plentiful and fresh but once you get on the street the flies on the meat on the street vendor’s food and sometimes the street smells can put you off. However there are plenty of great spots to stop and eat. We always looked for food places that had lots of locals eating there as it’s a good indication that the food is good and safe to eat.

These are just a few of titbits that we found made a difference to our travels in Thailand. Do you have any great advice to share so that we can all make the most of such a wonderful place?We would love to hear from you. Helen

Well quite simply the answer is fish! On an insurance convention trip to Thailand a group of ladies decided to hit the shopping area in Phuket for the purpose of experiencing the phenomenon of the fish spas. Although this was an all-girls excursion but there was one of our male colleagues who also wanted to try this out so we decided he could come along and be one of the girls for night.

We paired up, paid our money, stripped off our sandals, rolled up our pants and put our feet into big tanks filled with tiny fish. It wasn’t long before they all migrated to our feet and started to nibble. It’s a real experience, probably something I wouldn’t do again but definitely something different and one of those things you should try if you are going to Thailand. It was not long before this strapping 6 foot something man’s man, let out a high pitched squeal, then spent the next 10 minutes giggling, screaming and squirming like a little girl being tickled. It was so funny that people were stopping in the streets to see what all the commotion was about. What travel experiences have you faced that had you squealing like a two year old on Christmas morning or squirming like a worm? We would love to hear your stories.

Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations in the world and over 12 million tourists flock to the country every year. Most tourists can get away with very limited Thai and can say good morning, goodbye and order a beer or glass of wine. However, there is something unusual about Thailand in that many people return, and large numbers stay, and this means relationships and friendships are formed.

One of the biggest reasons to speak Thai is to build friendships and relationships. There is no denying the fact that many men are fascinated by Thai women, and to get to know them language is the key. Even returning for a vacation year after year will encourage people to learn Thai. That awkward feeling of being guilty or insecure as you converse with locals who speak in broken English soon goes when you speak their language.

The Thai people are renowned for their hospitality and friendliness, and this will become ever more apparent upon speaking Thai. Barriers drop quickly when a language is spoken and doors to new experiences are flung open in a new and exciting way. For some strange reason, speaking Thai draws you even further in to a country that pulled you in when you only had a handful of words in your pocket.

When you visit Thailand without speaking Thai, the people of Thailand can tell you are a tourist and will treat you as a tourist. Once you show that you speak Thai, you are seen differently and you will be elevated among the locals you meet when on vacation or when starting a new life. Conversation will open up and natural curiosity will spark what can easily become lifelong friendships.

Two words define the change when you speak Thai. The first is Trust. Trust is gained when you speak Thai as people can see that you have taken time and made the effort to learn their language. Sure, many speak English, as English has long been seen as the only way to get ahead or get out of Thailand. Returning the favour triggers a special emotion that you will only understand when you communicate with the locals in their native tongue.

The second word is Independence. Speaking any language automatically gives a level of freedom and independence that nothing else can provide. Without speaking Thai, your movement and choices of places to visit is somewhat limited. With speaking Thai, you can venture beyond the hotel bars and tourist attractions and discover the real Thailand. Speaking Thai can instantly make any local the perfect tour guide who will take you places and introduce you to people that you would never visit or meet without the language.

Thailand is constantly calling tourists; tourism is the mainstay of the economy, and if you want to heed that call and get more out of Thailand for pleasure or on business, learning to speak Thai will pay off. Thailand is more than just hotels and shrines; it is a country full of amazing places open to you and people who cannot wait to tell you more because you speak their language.